During Friday night's episode of SmackDown, fans were shocked to learn that IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James would be part of the Women's Royal Rumble match. IMPACT Wrestling recently ended its working relationship with AEW, and many now wonder whether WWE is looking to form some sort of partnership with the company.
They certainly didn't shy away from mentioning James' ties to IMPACT during SmackDown, and it sounds like WWE is considering opening the "forbidden door" for the men's Rumble match as well.
It's hard to say who this could be and whether there's really anyone they can use who would excite fans. In an ideal world, someone from AEW like MJF or Jungle Boy would show up, but how much that would benefit AEW is hard to say (unless some sort of deal was made to have a WWE Superstar like Seth Rollins or Cesaro show up on Dynamite to challenge for the TNT Championship).
That seems like wishful thinking, unfortunately, but it sounds like the PPV will be worth keeping an eye on...